The first official visit of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s daughter to the mausoleum of the country’s past leaders has sparked renewed speculation about preparations for her eventual succession, according to a report published by The Guardian.
Experts quoted by the British newspaper say that Kim Jong Un’s decision to accompany his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, to the mausoleum housing the remains of his grandfather Kim Il Sung, the founder of North Korea, and his father, former leader Kim Jong Il, carries deep political and symbolic significance.
The visit came ahead of a possible Workers’ Party conference, which may be held later this month, where the issue of succession could be raised formally.
Cheong Seong-chang, vice president of the Sejong Institute, described the move as “carefully calculated,” particularly given its timing before the anticipated party conference. He suggested that the appearance could signal early steps toward introducing Kim Ju Ae as a future successor, as cited in the report.
Some sources estimate that Kim Ju Ae was born in the early 2010s. However, other analysts urge caution against drawing hasty conclusions.
Hong Min, a North Korea expert at the government-run Korea Institute for National Unification, told The Guardian that the regime is currently more focused on projecting an image of a “stable ruling family” through Kim Jong Un’s repeated public appearances with his wife and daughter at major events, rather than preparing for a formal announcement of succession.
He added that Kim Ju Ae’s young age believed to be around 13 makes an open designation as successor unlikely at this stage, particularly as she has not yet reached the legal age to join the ruling Workers’ Party.
